The World No. 1 -- who didn't face a top 50 opponent at the US Open until the semifinals -- cantered to his 16th Grand Slam title with a comfortable straight sets win over South Africa's Kevin Anderson in Sunday's final.

Let's get this straight: Rafael Nadal, the oft-injured, shaken superstar from the past couple of years, won two majors and is the No. 1 player in the world in 2017? This season couldn't be any sweeter.

"No different than the other times when he won tournament of the grand slam.

"This tournament was different because we play against [Alexandr] Dolgopolov, [Andrey] Rublev, good players but not the top.

"I don't want to say anything bad for our opponents but this time some [got injured] before playing -- Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Nishikori, Raonic. And then Federer lose. But I think Rafael has played well and was the best of the people who has played."

'Uncle Toni' is stepping aside from Nadal's coaching team, with the Spaniard to work with former top tennis player Carlos Moya and Francisco Roig.